Beverage container holder

ABSTRACT

A holder ( 10 ) for a beverage container ( 100 ) comprising a receptacle ( 24 ) for receiving a beverage container bottom portion ( 102 ) of the beverage container ( 100 ) and a container retaining element ( 26 ) operatively coupled to the receptacle ( 24 ) for engaging the container ( 100 ) to maintain the container bottom portion ( 102 ) in the receptacle ( 24 ) when the beverage container ( 100 ) is held by the holder ( 10 ). The holder ( 10 ) is provided with a selectively closed drain ( 88 ) to allow outflow of condensation or spillage from the receptacle ( 24 ) when the drain ( 88 ) is opened.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to handling devices and, more particularly, to a holder for handling a beverage container.

BACKGROUND

Holders for handling beverage containers such as conventional milk cartons and cylindrical soda plastic bottles of various capacities are known. These known holders typically comprise an attachment means selectively attachable to outer portions of the beverage container, and a handle attached to an outer portion of the attachment means.

While these prior art holders can generally fulfil the main objective of handling a beverage container, they are also often inefficient in executing this very task.

For example, known beverage container holders may not be safe to use when the beverage container has to be tilted almost fully upside down in order to completely empty the beverage content of the container since the latter may potentially slip out of the attachment means.

Furthermore, most known beverage container holders offer little or no thermal insulating means that would help preserve temperature sensitive beverages while out of the refrigerator.

Yet furthermore, most known beverage container holders require removal of the beverage container from the beverage container holder to remove therefrom spillage or condensation that may accumulate in the beverage container holder.

Finally, some known beverage container holders obstruct the view of the expiry or use-by date usually printed along an upper surface portion of the beverage container.

In view of the above, there is a need in the industry for an improved beverage container holder.

An object of the present invention is to provide such a beverage container holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, the invention provides a holder for a beverage container, the beverage container defining substantially opposed beverage container top and bottom portions, the beverage container top portion being provided with a container spout for allowing discharge of a beverage therefrom, the holder defining a holder outer surface and comprising: a receptacle defining a receptacle recess for receiving the beverage container bottom portion, the receptacle recess being delimited by a receptacle bottom wall and a receptacle peripheral wall extending substantially upwardly therefrom; and a container retaining element operatively coupled to the receptacle for engaging the beverage container top portion to maintain the beverage container bottom portion in the receptacle when the beverage container is held by the holder in an operative configuration, the container retaining element being provided with a retaining element aperture positionable substantially in register with the container spout; the holder being provided with a drain, the drain extending between the receptacle recess and the holder outer surface, the holder further comprising a drain closing element movable between drain closing and opening configurations, wherein, in the drain closing configuration, the drain closing element obstructs the drain, and in the drain opening configuration, the drain closing element allows fluid communication through the drain.

The invention may also provide a holder further comprising a holder outer element having a holder outer element body defining at least part of the holder outer surface, the holder outer element body defining a receptacle receiving recess receiving at least part of the receptacle thereinto.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the holder outer element defines a handle extending from the holder outer element body.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the container retaining element includes a receptacle lid hingedly mounted to the receptacle through a hinge provided substantially opposed to the receptacle bottom wall, the receptacle lid being movable between lid open and closed configurations, wherein, in the lid open configuration, the beverage container is removable from the receptacle, and, in the lid closed configuration, the beverage container is securely held in the receptacle.

The invention may also provide a holder further comprising a lock for selectively locking the receptacle lid in the lid closed configuration.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the lock is further operative for selectively locking the receptacle receiving recess.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the lock includes a tab, the tab being substantially resiliently deformable and extending from the holder outer element body, the tab defining a laterally inwardly projecting tab projection; the receptacle lid defines a receptacle lid central portion and a receptacle lid ledge extending therefrom peripherally relative thereto; and the tab is movable between a tab unbiased configuration and a tab retracted configuration, wherein, in the tab unbiased configuration, the tab projection is substantially in register with and substantially adjacent to the receptacle lid ledge, and in the tab retracted configuration, the tab projection is retracted from the receptacle lid ledge. When the receptacle is inserted in the receptacle receiving recess with the hinge laterally opposed to the tab and the receptacle lid in the lid closed configuration, the tab locks the lid in the lid closed configuration when in the tab unbiased configuration and allows movement of the receptacle lid to the lid open configuration when in the tab retracted configuration.

The invention may also provide a holder further comprising a thermal regulation element inserted between the holder outer element body and the receptacle.

The invention may also provide a holder further comprising a thermal regulation element support for supporting the thermal regulation element.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the thermal regulation element support is removable from the receptacle and from the holder outer element body; and the thermal regulation element is selectively removable from the thermal regulation element support when the thermal regulation element support is removed from the receptacle and from the holder outer element body.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the thermal regulation element is provided laterally relative to the beverage container when the beverage container is operative held by the holder.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the thermal regulation element is provided below the beverage container when the beverage container is operative held by the holder.

The invention may also provide a holder further comprising holder outer element spacers extending from the holder outer element body in the receptacle receiving recess for spacing apart the holder outer element body and the thermal regulation element support from each other with an air gap therebetween.

The invention may also provide a holder further comprising receptacle spacers extending outwardly from the receptacle in the receptacle receiving recess for spacing apart the receptacle and the thermal regulation element from each other with an air gap therebetween.

The invention may also provide a holder further comprising support spacers extending from the thermal regulation element support for spacing apart the thermal regulation element support and the thermal regulation element from each other with an air gap therebetween.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the drain includes an outer element drain aperture extending through the holder outer element; and the drain closing element is a plug selectively lockable into the outer element drain aperture.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the beverage container includes markings, the markings being indicative of an expiration date, the markings being provided spaced apart from the spout; and the container retaining element is provided with a retaining element auxiliary aperture positioned to allow inspection of the markings when the beverage container is operatively held by the holder.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the beverage container is a flexible bag, the retaining element defining a clip for receiving part of the flexible bag therein.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the clip is provided substantially opposed to the receptacle bottom wall.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the clip includes two sets of resiliently deformable ribs facing each other, the flexible bag being insertable between the two sets of ribs.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the ribs within each of the sets of ribs are substantially parallel to each other.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the ribs from one of the sets of ribs and the ribs from the other one of the sets of ribs converge towards each other in a direction leading away from the receptacle bottom wall.

The invention may also provide a holder wherein the clip includes a set of protrusions facing a set of recesses, each recess from the set of recesses facing a corresponding protrusion from the set of protrusions, the flexible bag being insertable between the set of protrusions and the set of recesses.

Advantageously, the proposed invention facilitates removal from the receptacle of condensation, and also, in some embodiments of spillage that may drip down the side of the beverage container and into the receptacle. Indeed, the drain allows these operations to proceed while maintaining the beverage container secured to the holder.

The present application claims benefit from UK request application 1418929.4 filed Oct. 24, 2014, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, in a perspective view, illustrates a holder for a beverage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the holder being shown with a receptacle lid thereof in a lid closed configuration;

FIG. 2, in an alternative perspective view, illustrates the holder shown in FIG. 1 with a plug thereof removed;

FIG. 3, in a perspective view, illustrates the holder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the receptacle lid thereof in a lid open configuration;

FIG. 4, in a perspective partially exploded view, illustrates the holder shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5, in a side cross-sectional view along section line V-V of FIG. 1, illustrates the holder shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6, in a side cross-sectional view along section line VI-VI of FIG. 1, illustrates the holder shown in FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 7, in a perspective view, illustrates the holder shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 with a tab thereof in a tab retracted configuration;

FIG. 8, in a top plan view, illustrates a thermal regulation element support part of the holder shown in FIGS. 1 to 7;

FIG. 9, in a perspective view, illustrates a holder for a beverage container in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10, in a perspective view, illustrates a holder for a beverage container in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11, in a perspective view, illustrates a holder for a beverage container in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12, in a front elevation view, illustrates the holder shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13, in a partial perspective view, illustrates a holder for a beverage container in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14, in a partial front elevation view, illustrates the holder shown in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15, in a partial front elevation view, illustrates a holder for a beverage container in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “substantially” is used throughout this document to indicate variations in the thus qualified terms. These variations are variations that do not materially affect the manner in which the invention works and can be due, for example, to uncertainty in manufacturing processes or to small deviations from a nominal value or ideal shape that do not cause significant changes to the invention. These variations are to be interpreted from the point of view of the person skilled in the art. Also, directional terminology, such as bottom, refers to the holder of the invention in a typical free-standing, upstanding, configuration, resting on a table surface for example, before it is handled to pour a beverage. This reference configuration is for reference and convenience purposes and should not be used to restrict the scope of the claims unless explicitly required by the structure of a specific claim. The reader skilled in the art will understand that the holder may be, in some embodiments, perfectly usable standing on its side when compared to the description below. However, typical use of the holder when no beverage is poured is usually with the holder upstanding as seen the drawings and described below.

FIGS. 1 to 8 illustrate various aspects a holder 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The holder 10 is usable for facilitating the handling of a beverage container 100 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 only) such as, for example, a conventional plastic generally cylindrical bottle, such as those used to contain multiple servings of pressurized liquids such as carbonated drinks. In alternative embodiments, as shown respectively in FIGS. 9 and 10, alternative holders 10 a and 10 b may be used to hold milk cartons or a similarly shaped beverage container 100 a and 100 b. In yet other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, yet another alternative embodiment of a holder 10 c is usable to hold a beverage container 100 c (shown in FIG. 11 only) in the form of a milk bag or other similar flexible beverage container. As discussed hereinbelow, in some embodiments, the holders 10, 10 a, 10 b and 10 c are also usable to regulate the temperature of the beverage (not shown in the drawings) contained in the beverage containers 100, 100 a, 100 b and 100 c.

Referring for example to FIG. 1, and for exemplary purposes only in the present description of the holder 10, the beverage container 100 is represented by a conventional two (2) Liters soft drink plastic bottle, or the like. Such a beverage container 100 defines a beverage container bottom portion 102 and a beverage container top portion 104 substantially opposed thereto.

Typically, the beverage container bottom portion 102 is substantially cylindrical, and may be provided with generally convex projections at the bottom thereof, projecting generally downwardly (not shown in the drawings). The beverage container top portion 104 is typically generally frusto-conical and provided at the top end thereof with a container spout 111 for allowing discharge of a beverage from the beverage container 100. The container spout 111 typically includes a pour spout opening 112 and spout cap 114 assembly that is upwardly protruding therefrom, as better seen in FIG. 3.

For orientation purposes, and illustrated in FIG. 1 for example, the holder 10 generally defines opposed top 12 and bottom 14 ends. The holder 10 also defines a holder outer surface 21.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, the holder 10 includes a shell container 22. The shell container 22 is represented be a selectively closable container that includes a receptacle 24 and a container retaining element in the form of a receptacle lid 26. While the container retaining element takes the form of a receptacle lid 26 in FIG. 4, in alternative embodiments the container retaining element may take the form of any other structure operatively coupled to the receptacle 24 for engaging the beverage container top portion 104 to maintain the beverage container bottom portion 102 in the receptacle 24 when the beverage container 100 is held by the holder 10 in an operative configuration. For example, the container retaining element is a more open structure that prevents removal of the container 100 from the receptacle 24. The receptacle lid 26 is provided with a retaining element aperture 36 positionable substantially in register with the container spout 111.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the holder 10 also includes other components, such as a holder outer element 60 described in further details hereinbelow. However, in some embodiments, these elements are omitted.

The receptacle 24 is for example represented by an open container defining a receptacle opening edge 28 and a receptacle recess 30 extending inwardly thereof. The receptacle opening edge 28 and the receptacle recess 30 cooperatively form a bore that is shaped and sized for slidably receiving therein, typically in a snug fit relationship, a substantial portion or the whole of the beverage container bottom portion 102. For example, the receptacle recess 30 is delimited by a receptacle bottom wall 31 and a receptacle peripheral wall 33 extending substantially upwardly therefrom.

The holder 10 is provided with a drain 88, better seen in FIG. 5. The drain 88 extends between the receptacle recess 30 and the holder outer surface 21. When the holder 10 includes many elements, the drain may include a series of structures in fluid communication with each other that allow passage of fluids between the receptacle recess 30 and the holder outer surface 21. The drain 88 and container retaining element, or receptacle lid 26, together form a synergy wherein fluid that accumulates in the receptacle recess 30, for example due to spillage or condensation, can be removed from the holder 10 without removing the beverage container 100 from the holder 10.

The holder 10 further comprises a drain closing element 92 movable between drain closing and opening configurations, shown respectively in FIGS. 5 and 2. In the drain closing configuration, the drain closing element 92 obstructs the drain 88, and in the drain opening configuration, the drain closing element 92 allows fluid communication through the drain 88. The drain closing element 92 may take the form of a plug removable from the drain 88 or could take the form of a valve that is selectively open or closed (this latter option not being shown in the drawings). In alternative embodiments of the invention, the drain closing element is omitted.

The receptacle lid 26 defines a receptacle lid edge 32, a receptacle lid inner space 34, and the retaining element aperture 36 extending substantially opposed to the receptacle lid edge 32. The retaining element aperture 36 is shaped and sized for freely receiving therethrough the beverage container pour spout opening 112 and spout cap 114 assembly. The receptacle lid inner space 34 is delimited by a receptacle lid body 35. For example, the receptacle lid body 35 includes a receptacle lid central portion 37, which is for example and non-limitingly generally frusto-conical, and a receptacle lid ledge 39 extending therefrom peripherally relative thereto, which is for example and non-limitingly generally annular with an upwardly facing top surface. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the receptacle lid ledge 39 extends along only a portion of the receptacle lid central portion 37, as opposed to surrounding the receptacle lid central portion 37 as in the holder 10. The receptacle lid edge 32 and the receptacle lid inner space 34 are shaped and sized so as to substantially adjacently cover the outer surface shape of the beverage container top portion 104, with the beverage container pour spout opening 112 and spout cap 114 assembly protruding outwardly through the retaining element aperture 36.

The receptacle lid 26 is for example hingedly mounted to the holder outer element body 66 through a hinge 46 provided substantially opposed to the receptacle bottom wall 31. The hinge 46 may be any conventional hinge. In the specific example shown in the drawings, with reference to FIG. 1, the hinge 46 is defined by a pair of receptacle lid tabs 47 protruding from the receptacle lid body 35 and a pair of outer element tabs 49 extending from the holder outer element body 66. The receptacle lid tabs 47 define each a tab aperture 51 of substantially circular configuration. The tab apertures 51 are substantially co-axial with each other. The outer element tabs 49 define each a tab protrusion 53 of substantially cylindrical configuration, and the tab protrusions 53 are substantially co-axial with each other and face each other. The receptacle lid tabs 47 are provided between the outer element tabs 49, each adjacent one of the receptacle lid tabs 47, and the tab protrusions 53 are each received in one of the tab apertures 51 so that the receptacle lid 26 is pivotable relative to the holder outer element body 66.

Furthermore, the receptacle lid edge 32 and the receptacle lid inner space 34 are further suitably shaped and sized so as to allow the receptacle lid 26 to be freely selectively movable between a lid open configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and a lid closed configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the beverage container 100 is fully engaged in the receptacle 24. In the lid open configuration, the beverage container 100 is removable from the holder 10, and, in the lid closed configuration, the beverage container 100 is securely held in the holder 10.

The shell container 22 is for example made of a substantially resilient material, or an assembly of such materials. In other embodiments, the shell container 22 is substantially rigid. In some embodiments, the shell container 22 is made of a thermally insulating material such as, for example, a suitably rigid foam or the like. As would be obvious to someone familiar with thermally insulated container such as commercially available lunch boxes or the likes, the shell container 22 may be made of a composite material composed of an outer plastic shell provided with a thermally insulating inner liner.

In some embodiments, the holder 10 may further comprise a temperature indicator (not shown in the drawings). For example, the temperature indicator may be represented by a temperature sensor provided along an inner surface portion of the receptacle 24, that is operatively coupled through electrical conductors to a low power and battery operated temperature electronic display, such as an electronic liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. The temperature electronic display may be attached, or otherwise integrated in, a visibly accessible outer surface portion of the receptacle 24. As would be obvious to someone familiar with the art, other types of conventional temperature indicators may be used.

In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6, the holder 10 further comprises a holder outer element 60. The holder outer element 60 has a holder outer element body 62 defining at least part of the holder outer surface 21. Although not shown in the drawings, the holder outer surface may be provided with characters and illustrations detailed the mode of operation of the holder 10 or including publicity or of purely ornamental nature. Typically, the holder outer element defines a handle 64 extending from the holder outer element body 62, for example upwardly therefrom. In some embodiments, a lock is provided for selectively locking the receptacle lid 26 in the lid closed configuration. For example, the lock includes a tab 67, the tab 67 being substantially resiliently deformable and extending from the holder outer element body 62. The tab 67 defines a laterally inwardly projecting tab projection 82. The tab 67 and the manner in which it is part of the lock are described in further details hereinbelow. It should be noted that in some embodiments (not shown in the drawings), the holder outer element 60 is omitted or only optionally used.

The holder outer element body 62 defines a holder outer element body upper aperture 68 and a receptacle receiving recess 70 extending inwardly downwardly from the holder outer element body upper aperture 68 for receiving at least part of the receptacle 24 thereinto. The holder outer element body 62 also defines a holder outer element body bottom wall 74 and a holder outer element body peripheral wall 72 extending substantially upwardly therefrom and which delimit the receptacle receiving recess 70.

The receptacle receiving recess 70 is typically suitably shaped and sized for substantially freely slidably receiving therein the receptacle 24. In some embodiments (not shown in the drawings), the receptacle receiving recess 70 receives in a snug fit relation at least a lower end portion of the receptacle 24. In other embodiments, a thermal regulation element support 122 insertable between the receptacle receiving recess 70 and the receptacle 24, as detailed in greater details hereinbelow.

The holder outer element body bottom wall 74 is typically suitably shaped and sized for allowing the holder outer element 60 to stably rest on a horizontal support surface such as a table, a kitchen counter, or the likes, with the holder outer element body upper aperture 68 oriented perpendicularly upwardly therefrom.

In some embodiments of the invention, the handle 64 is configured as follows. The handle 64 extends from the holder outer element body peripheral wall 72. Typically, the handle 64 has a substantially arch-shaped configuration with a handle upper end portion 80 thereof substantially adjacent to the holder outer element body upper aperture 68 and a handle lower end portion 78 thereof located below and substantially vertically aligned with the handle upper end portion 80. However, in alternative embodiments, the handle 64 takes any other suitable configuration.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the tab 67 is represented by a member extending upwardly from the holder outer element body 62 and protruding higher than the holder outer element body upper aperture 68. The tab 67 is movable between a tab unbiased configuration (seen in FIG. 1 for example) and a tab retracted configuration (seen in FIG. 7 for example) through a deformation of the tab 67. In the tab unbiased configuration, the tab projection 82 is substantially in register with and substantially adjacent to the receptacle lid ledge 39. In the tab retracted configuration, the tab projection 82 is retracted from the receptacle lid ledge 39. In some embodiments, a tab actuator 83 is provided to facilitate deformation of the tab 67 to the tab retracted configuration by an intended user. For example, the tab actuator 83 takes the form of a member extending from the tab 67 opposed to the tab projection 82.

The tab 67 is configured and sized so that when the receptacle 24 is inserted in the receptacle receiving recess 70 with the hinge 46 laterally opposed to the tab 67 and the receptacle lid 26 in the lid closed configuration, the tab 67 locks the receptacle lid 26 in the lid closed configuration when in the tab unbiased configuration and allows movement of the receptacle lid 26 to the lid open configuration when in the tab retracted configuration.

An advantage of the present invention resides in that, with the receptacle lid 26 in the lid closed configuration and the receptacle 24 received in the holder outer element 60, when the tab 67 is in the tab unbiased configuration, the tab projection 82 simultaneously locks the receptacle lid 26 in the lid closed configuration and locks the receptacle 24 within the holder outer element body 62. When the tab 67 is moved to the tab retracted configuration, the receptacle 24 may be selectively removed from the holder outer element body 62, the receptacle lid 26 may be moved to the lid open configuration, or both these actions may be performed. Thus, the holder 10 may be used to safely handle a beverage container 100 so as to fully empty the liquid content thereof without risking that the beverage container 100 fall out of the holder outer element 60.

The holder outer element 60 is made of a sufficiently rigid material, or materials, for supporting the combined weight of the receptacle 24 and a filled beverage container 100. Typically, the holder outer element 60 may be represented by a single piece element made of a suitably rigid plastic material using a conventional injection molding process. Other known materials are also possible such as aluminum, a suitable metal alloy, or the likes.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the holder 10 further includes thermal regulation elements 120, which are positioned between the holder outer element body 62 and the receptacle 24. In some embodiments, the thermal regulation elements 120 are held by a thermal regulation element support 122. However, in alternative embodiments, the thermal regulation elements 120 are simply inserted in the holder outer element 60 by themselves.

The thermal regulation elements 120 are elements that help in regulating the temperature of the beverage contained in the beverage container 100. For example, the thermal regulation elements 120 may be thermally insulating, for example made of foam. In other embodiments, the thermal regulation elements 120 includes a phase change material contained in a container that releases or absorbs heat as it changes phase to respectively heat of cool the beverage. In yet other embodiments, the thermal regulation elements 120 are simply large mass elements that have been previously heated or cooled to respectively heat or cool the beverage. In yet other embodiments, the thermal regulation elements are powered and actively produce heat or absorb heat to respectively heat or cool the beverage.

The thermal regulation element support 122 includes a thermal regulation element support body 124 that delimits a thermal regulation element support recess 126. Peripherally to the thermal regulation element support recess 126, the thermal regulation element support body 124 defines thermal regulation element receiving recesses 128 each for receiving at least one of the thermal regulation support elements 120 therein.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the thermal regulation element support body 124 has a generally cylindrical configuration defined by a thermal regulation element support body outer wall 130 from which supporting members 132 extending inwardly. Each supporting member 132 extends substantially the whole longitudinal length of the thermal regulation element support body outer wall 130 and has a substantially T-shaped transversal cross-sectional configuration, as seen for example in FIG. 6. The thermal regulation element receiving recesses 128 are defined between the supporting members 132, which thus defines thermal regulation element receiving recesses 128 of generally arc segment shaped transversal configuration of substantially constant transversal cross-sectional configuration longitudinally therealong, with the thermal regulation elements 120 being similarly shaped. The thermal regulation elements 120 are thus provided laterally relative to the beverage container 100 when the beverage container 100 is operative held by the holder 10. Typically, the thermal regulation element receiving recesses 128 are open towards the thermal regulation element support recess 126 to facilitate heat exchange between the thermal regulation elements 120 and the beverage container 100.

In some embodiments, thermal element spacers 134 extend from the thermal regulation element support 122 between the supporting members 132 to space apart the thermal regulation elements 120 from the thermal regulation element support body outer wall 130. The thermal element spacers 134 may take the form of relatively thin ribs 134 each extending longitudinally along the thermal regulation element support 122 to create air gaps 135 between the thermal regulation element support 122 and the thermal regulation elements 120.

At least part of the receptacle 24 is received in the thermal regulation element support recess 126 and at least part of the thermal regulation element support 122 is received in the holder outer element 60. The receptacle 24, thermal regulation element support 122 and holder outer element 60 are typically configured and sized so that they are substantially snugly received within each other. In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 4, the thermal regulation element support 122 is removable from the receptacle 24 and from the holder outer element body 62. Also, typically, the thermal regulation elements 120 are selectively removable from the thermal regulation element support 122 when the thermal regulation element support 122 is removed from the receptacle 24 and from the holder outer element body 62. This removal is typically achieved by simply moving the tab 67 to the tab retracted configuration and substantially longitudinally sliding all these elements relative to each other. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, two or more of the thermal regulation element support 122, receptacle 24 and holder outer element 60 are permanently attached together instead of being separable from each other.

In some embodiments, another thermal regulation element 121 is provide below the thermal regulation element support 122 and is substantially annular. In some specific embodiments, the receptacle 24 is short enough that there is a small gap 123 between the receptacle 24 and the thermal regulation element support 122, as seen in FIG. 5. Also, when present, the thermal regulation element 121 is thinner than the height of the gap 123. This gap ensures that flow through the drain 88 can occur. To ensure that this gap 123 is maintained, a receptacle lip 25 extends peripherally from the receptacle opening edge 28 so as to abut against the holder outer element 60 when the receptacle 24 is fully inserted in the holder outer element 60. In some embodiments, a substantially annular seal 27 made of a substantially resiliently deformable material is inserted between the receptacle lip 25 and the holder outer element 60.

In some embodiments, spacers are provided to space apart the holder outer element body 62 and the thermal regulation element support 122 from each other and to space apart the receptacle 24 and the thermal regulation element support 122 or thermal regulation elements 120 from each other. For example, holder outer element spacers 136 extend from the holder outer element body 62 in the receptacle receiving recess 70 for spacing apart the holder outer element body 62 and the thermal regulation element support 122 from each other with an air gap 138 therebetween. The holder outer element spacers 136 may take the form of substantially elongated longitudinally extending ribs. In alternative embodiments, the holder outer element spacers 136 are replaced by similar structures extending outwardly from the thermal regulation element support 122. Similarly, receptacle spacers 140, also in the form of elongated relatively thin ribs, extend from the receptacle 24 for spacing apart the thermal regulation elements 120 and the receptacle peripheral wall 33 from each other with an air gap 142 therebetween. The ribs described hereinabove may be replaced by any other suitable shaped structures that create the air gaps 123, 138 and 142.

Referring to FIG. 5, the drain 88 includes many structures allowing passage of fluids from the receptacle recess 30 to outside of the holder 10. In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the drain 88 includes receptacle drain apertures 144, support drain apertures 146 and an outer element drain aperture 148 extending respectively through the receptacle 24, thermal regulation element support 122 and holder outer element 60. The drain closing element 92 takes the form of a plug selectively lockable into the outer element drain aperture 148. In addition, in some embodiments, a sealing ring 150 made of a substantially resiliently deformable material is inserted between the holder outer element 60 and the drain closing element 92. However, in alternative embodiments, any other suitable drain 88 is used. In some alternative embodiments, the drain closing element 92 is resiliently inserted or screwed in the drain 88.

An example of a suitable drain closing element 92 is shown in FIG. 2. This drain closing element 92 includes a closing element body 152, which is for example disc-shaped, and a central protrusion 154, which is for example cylindrical, extending therefrom at the centre thereof in a generally axial direction. Peripherally to the central protrusion 154, and centred relative thereto, a ring receiving groove 158 is provided for receiving part of the sealing ring 150. A pair of locking protrusions 156 extend from the central protrusion 154 substantially radially and substantially diametrically opposed to each other. The locking protrusions 156 are thus substantially parallel to the closing element body 152 and spaced apart therefrom. The outer element drain aperture 148 is substantially disc-shaped and includes a pair of notches 160 extending substantially radially therefrom and substantially diametrically opposed to each other. The outer element drain aperture 148 and notches 160 are dimensioned for substantially fittingly receiving respectively receiving the central protrusion 154 and locking protrusions 156 therethrough to that when the drain closing element 92 is rotated after its insertion, the drain closing element 92 compresses the sealing ring 150 to substantially hermetically close the drain 88. In some embodiments a drain groove 159 is provided centred relative to the outer element drain aperture 148 and substantially in register with the ring receiving groove 158 to receive part of the sealing ring 150 thereinto.

A specific and non-limiting example of a drain 88 is now described in greater details. As seen in FIG. 5, the receptacle drain apertures 144 each extend through the receptacle bottom wall 31. For example, as seen in FIG. 6, eight receptacle drain apertures 144 are provided in a generally annular configuration. However the number and arrangement of receptacle drain apertures 144 may differ in alternative embodiments. The support drain apertures 146 each extend through the support bottom wall 127 of the thermal regulation element support 122. For example, as seen in FIG. 8, nine receptacle drain apertures 144 are provided, with a central one and eight provided in a generally annular configuration. However the number and arrangement of support drain apertures 146 may differ in alternative embodiments. Finally, a single outer element drain aperture 148 extends through the holder outer element body bottom wall 74, centred relative thereto. Use of a single aperture for the part of the drain 88 that is provided closest to the holder outer surface 21 is advantageous as it then only requires one element to close or open the drain 88. However, in alternative embodiments, more than one outer element drain aperture 148 is provided or the outer element drain aperture 148 is provided elsewhere.

Thus, the drain 88 avoids condensated humidity that may form along the cold outer surfaces of the beverage container 100, to trickle down and accumulate within the receptacle 24, which could otherwise be potentially sprayed back up along the inner side wall surfaces of the shell container 22 when a new beverage container 100 is inserted therein. Instead, the holder outer element 60 allows to collect the condensated humidity that drained through the receptacle drain apertures 144 and support drain apertures 146 until it can be selectively drained through the outer element drain aperture 148.

FIG. 9 illustrates a holder 10 a in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The holder 10 a is configured to hold a beverage container 100 a of a different type than the beverage container 100. The beverage container 100 a has a generally parallelepiped shaped beverage container bottom portion 102 a. The beverage container top portion 104 a defines opposed front and rear slanted surfaces 106 a and 107 a extending upwardly inwardly relative to upper edge portions of diametrically opposed beverage container front and rear surfaces 108 a and 110 a respectively of the beverage container bottom portion 102 a.

The beverage container 100 a is provided with a container spout 111 a provided on the front slanted surface 106 a. The beverage container 100 a is also typically provided with a ridge 118 a extending generally upwardly from the junction of the front and rear slanted surfaces 106 a and 107 a. Typically, the beverage container 100 a includes markings 119 a, provided on the ridge 118 a. The markings 119 a are indicative of an expiration date for the beverage contained in the beverage container 100 a.

The holder 10 a has a shape that generally conforms to that of the beverage container 100 a. However, its structure is otherwise similar to that of the holder 10. Since the container spout 111 a is not centred relative to the container 10 a, the receptacle lid 26 a has a retaining element aperture 36 a that is also offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the holder 10 a. Also, the receptacle lid 26 a is provided with a retaining element auxiliary aperture 27 a that allows the ridge 118 a to protrude from the receptacle lid 26 a to allow inspection of the markings 119 a when the beverage container 100 a is operatively held by the holder 10 a.

FIG. 10 illustrates a holder 10 b in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the invention. The holder 10 b is configured to hold a beverage container 100 b of a different type than the beverage containers 100 and 100 a. The beverage container 100 b has a shape similar to the beverage container 100 a, except that the container spout 111 b thereof is formed along part of the ridge junction 118 b and opened and closed by separating from each other or joining together part of the opposite sides of the ridge junction 118 b. In this embodiment, the retaining element aperture 36 b is relatively large and frees a significant portion of the beverage container top portion 104 b. Otherwise, the holder 10 b is substantially similar to the holder 10 a.

It is to be understood that, in a similar fashion as in the previously described holders 10, 10 a and 10 b, other horizontal cross-sectional configurations for the beverage holder 10, 10 a and 10 b are also possible such as, for example, an oval, an hexagonal, or a triangular horizontal cross-section, or the likes.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate yet another holder 10 c in accordance with an embodiment the present invention. The holder 10 c is conceived to hold a beverage container 100 c in the form of a flexible bag. In this embodiment, the container retaining element, and more specifically the receptacle lid 26 c, defines a clip 150 c for receiving part of the beverage container 100 c. As better seen in FIG. 11, the receptacle lid central portion 37 c includes for example a pair of slanted substantially flat walls 152 c and 154 c that converge towards the clip 150 c, in a direction leading away from the receptacle bottom wall 31 c. The clip 150 c is provided substantially opposed to the receptacle bottom wall (not seen in FIG. 11) and centered relative thereto.

The clip 150 c includes a substantially elongated clip body 158 c defining a clip recess 160 c opening substantially downwardly. The clip 150 c also includes two sets 162 c of resiliently deformable ribs 164 c facing each other extending from the clip body 158 c. The beverage container 100 c is insertable between the two sets 162 c of ribs 164 c. Typically, the ribs 164 c within each of the sets 162 c of ribs 164 c are substantially parallel to each other. They consist for example of relatively thin blades extending from the clip body 158 c into the clip recess 160 c. They may be made of a polymeric material or of a metal, among other possibilities. The ribs 164 c from both one of the sets 162 c of ribs 164 c and the ribs from the other one of the sets 162 c of ribs 164 c converge towards each other in a direction leading away from the receptacle bottom wall 31 c. Thus, when the beverage container 100 c is inserted between the sets 162 c of ribs 164 c, gravity tends to pull the beverage container 100 c downwardly, which pulls downwardly on the free edge of the ribs 164 c. Due to their orientation, the ribs 164 c cannot deform to a large extent before the ribs 164 c and the beverage container 100 c interfere with each other to prevent such large movements, and the small deformation of the ribs 164 c secures the beverage container top portion 104 c of the beverage container 102 c in the clip 150 c.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another holder 10 d in accordance with an embodiment the present invention. The holder 10 d is substantially similar to the holder 10 c, except that the clip 150 c is replaced with the clip 150 d. As better seen in FIG. 14, in the clip 150 d, the two sets 162 c of resiliently deformable ribs 164 c are replaced by a set of protrusions 162 d and a set of recesses 163 d respectively. The set of protrusions 162 d includes protrusions 164 d that protrude in the clip recess 160 d. The set of recesses 163 d includes recesses 165 d, each one facing one of the protrusions 164 d. For example, the recesses 165 d and protrusions 164 d have a generally cylindrical configuration. When the beverage container 100 c is inserted in the clip recess 160 d, it is deformed by the recesses 165 d and the protrusions 164 d to increase friction with the clip 150 d, which therefore holds the beverage container 100 c in the clip 150 d. The recesses 165 d and the protrusions 164 d may have other configurations, such as for example a substantially conical configuration, as seen in FIG. 15, for a clip 150 e having recesses 165 e and protrusions 164 e.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The present invention can thus be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A holder for a beverage container, said beverage container defining substantially opposed beverage container top and bottom portions, said beverage container top portion being provided with a container spout for allowing discharge of a beverage therefrom, said holder defining a holder outer surface and comprising: a receptacle defining a receptacle recess for receiving said beverage container bottom portion, said receptacle recess being delimited by a receptacle bottom wall and a receptacle peripheral wall extending substantially upwardly therefrom; and a container retaining element operatively coupled to said receptacle for engaging said beverage container top portion to maintain said beverage container bottom portion in said receptacle when said beverage container is held by said holder in an operative configuration, said container retaining element being provided with a retaining element aperture positionable substantially in register with said container spout; said holder being provided with a drain, said drain extending between said receptacle recess and said holder outer surface; said holder further comprising a drain closing element movable between drain closing and opening configurations, wherein, in said drain closing configuration, said drain closing element obstructs said drain, and in said drain opening configuration, said drain closing element allows fluid communication through said drain.
 2. The holder as defined in claim 1, further comprising a holder outer element having a holder outer element body defining at least part of said holder outer surface, said holder outer element body defining a receptacle receiving recess receiving at least part of said said receptacle thereinto.
 3. The holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said holder outer element defines a handle extending from said holder outer element body.
 4. The holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said container retaining element includes a receptacle lid hingedly mounted to said receptacle through a hinge provided substantially opposed to said receptacle bottom wall, said receptacle lid being movable between lid open and closed configurations, wherein, in said lid open configuration, said beverage container is removable from said receptacle, and, in said lid closed configuration, said beverage container is securely held in said receptacle.
 5. The holder as defined in claim 4, further comprising a lock for selectively locking said receptacle lid in said lid closed configuration.
 6. The holder as defined in claim 5, wherein said lock is further operative for selectively locking said receptacle receiving recess.
 7. The holder as defined in claim 4, wherein said lock includes a tab, said tab being substantially resiliently deformable and extending from said holder outer element body, said tab defining a laterally inwardly projecting tab projection; said receptacle lid defines a receptacle lid central portion and a receptacle lid ledge extending therefrom peripherally relative thereto; and said tab is movable between a tab unbiased configuration and a tab retracted configuration, wherein, in said tab unbiased configuration, said tab projection is substantially in register with and substantially adjacent to said receptacle lid ledge, and in said tab retracted configuration, said tab projection is retracted from said receptacle lid ledge; whereby when said receptacle is inserted in said receptacle receiving recess with said hinge laterally opposed to said tab and said receptacle lid in said lid closed configuration, said tab locks said lid in said lid closed configuration when in said tab unbiased configuration and allows movement of said receptacle lid to said lid open configuration when in said tab retracted configuration.
 8. The holder as defined in claim 2, further comprising a thermal regulation element inserted between said holder outer element body and said receptacle.
 9. The holder as defined in claim 8, further comprising a thermal regulation element support for supporting said thermal regulation element.
 10. The holder as defined in claim 8, wherein said thermal regulation element support is removable from said receptacle and from said holder outer element body; and said thermal regulation element is selectively removable from said thermal regulation element support when said thermal regulation element support is removed from said receptacle and from said holder outer element body.
 11. The holder as defined in claim 8, wherein said thermal regulation element is provided laterally relative to said beverage container when said beverage container is operative held by said holder.
 12. The holder as defined in claim 8, wherein said thermal regulation element is provided below said beverage container when said beverage container is operative held by said holder.
 13. The holder as defined in claim 9, further comprising holder outer element spacers extending from said holder outer element body in said receptacle receiving recess for spacing apart said holder outer element body and said thermal regulation element support from each other with an air gap therebetween.
 14. The holder as defined in claim 9, further comprising receptacle spacers extending outwardly from said receptacle in said receptacle receiving recess for spacing apart said receptacle and said thermal regulation element from each other with an air gap therebetween.
 15. The holder as defined in claim 9, further comprising support spacers extending from said thermal regulation element support for spacing apart said thermal regulation element support said thermal regulation element from each other with an air gap therebetween.
 16. The holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said drain includes an outer element drain aperture extending through said holder outer element; and said drain closing element is a plug selectively lockable into said outer element drain aperture.
 17. The holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said beverage container includes markings, said markings being indicative of an expiration date, said markings being provided spaced apart from said spout; and said container retaining element is provided with a retaining element auxiliary aperture positioned to allow inspection of said markings when said beverage container is operatively held by said holder.
 18. The holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said beverage container is a flexible bag, said retaining element defining a clip for receiving part of said flexible bag therein.
 19. The holder as defined in claim 18, wherein said clip is provided substantially opposed to said receptacle bottom wall.
 20. The holder as defined in claim 18, wherein said clip includes two sets of resiliently deformable ribs facing each other, said flexible bag being insertable between said two sets of ribs.
 21. The holder as defined in claim 20, wherein said ribs within each of said sets of ribs are substantially parallel to each other.
 22. The holder as defined in claim 21, wherein said ribs from one of said sets of ribs and said ribs from the other one of said sets of ribs converge towards each other in a direction leading away from said receptacle bottom wall.
 23. The holder as defined in claim 18, wherein said clip includes a set of protrusions facing a set of recesses, each recess from said set of recesses facing a corresponding protrusion from said set of protrusions, said flexible bag being insertable between said set of protrusions and said set of recesses. 